U.S. patent application number 17/188170 was filed with the patent office on 2022-01-06 for display device.
The applicant listed for this patent is SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Ha Lim JI, Byung Chul KIM, Gak Seok LEE, Jang Wi RYU, In Seok SONG.
Application Number | 20220003909 17/188170 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005446332 |
Filed Date | 2022-01-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220003909 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SONG; In Seok ; et
al. |
January 6, 2022 |
DISPLAY DEVICE
Abstract
A display device includes: a substrate including light-emitting
areas and a light-blocking area including a spacer area; a color
filter layer including color filters and a dummy color pattern,
wherein the color filters are disposed in the light emitting areas,
and the dummy color pattern is disposed in the spacer area; a
light-transmitting layer disposed on the color filter layer and
including a light-transmitting pattern and a light-transmitting
dummy pattern, wherein the light-transmitting pattern is disposed
on the color filters, and the light-transmitting dummy pattern is
disposed on the dummy color pattern; and a bank layer disposed on
the dummy color pattern, wherein the bank layer includes a spacer
part disposed in the light-blocking area, and a bank part disposed
in the light-blocking area, wherein the spacer part overlaps the
spacer area, wherein the bank part has a smaller height than the
spacer part with respect to the substrate.
Inventors: |
SONG; In Seok; (Pocheon-si,
KR) ; KIM; Byung Chul; (Yongin-si, KR) ; RYU;
Jang Wi; (Yongin-si, KR) ; LEE; Gak Seok;
(Hwaseong-si, KR) ; JI; Ha Lim; (Seoul,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD. |
Yongin-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005446332 |
Appl. No.: |
17/188170 |
Filed: |
March 1, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 27/3246 20130101;
G02B 5/286 20130101; H01L 27/322 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G02B 5/28 20060101
G02B005/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 3, 2020 |
KR |
10-2020-0081934 |
Claims
1. A display device comprising: a substrate including
light-emitting areas and a light-blocking area including a spacer
area; a color filter layer disposed on the substrate and including
color filters, and a dummy color pattern, wherein the color filters
are disposed in the light emitting areas, and the dummy color
pattern is disposed in the spacer area; a light-transmitting layer
disposed on the color filter layer and including a
light-transmitting pattern and a light-transmitting dummy pattern,
wherein the light-transmitting pattern is disposed on the color
filters, and the light-transmitting dummy pattern is disposed on
the dummy color pattern; and a bank layer disposed on the dummy
color pattern, wherein the bank layer includes a spacer part
disposed in the light-blocking area, and a bank part disposed in
the light-blocking area, wherein the spacer part overlaps the
spacer area, wherein the bank part has a smaller height than the
spacer part with respect to the substrate, and does not overlap the
spacer area.
2. The display device of claim 1, wherein the color filters include
a first color filter, a second color filter, and a third color
filter, wherein the first color filter selectively transmits light
of a first color therethrough, wherein the second color filter
selectively transmits light of a second color therethrough, and
wherein the third color filter selectively transmits light of a
third color therethrough.
3. The display device of claim 2, wherein the dummy color pattern
includes the same material as at least one of the first, second, or
third color filters.
4. The display device of claim 2, wherein the dummy color pattern
includes a first dummy color pattern and a second dummy color
pattern disposed on the first dummy color pattern, the first dummy
color pattern includes the same material as the first color filter,
and the second dummy color pattern includes the same material as
the second color filter.
5. The display device of claim 2, further comprising: a wavelength
conversion layer disposed on the color filter layer, in the
light-emitting areas, wherein the light-transmitting pattern is
disposed on the first color filter, and the wavelength conversion
layer includes a first wavelength conversion pattern, and a second
wavelength conversion pattern, wherein the first wavelength
conversion pattern is disposed on the second color filter, and the
second wavelength conversion pattern is disposed on the third color
filter.
6. The display device of claim 5, wherein the first color is blue,
the second color is green, and third color is red.
7. The display device of claim 1, wherein the light-transmitting
dummy pattern overlaps with the dummy color pattern, the
light-transmitting dummy pattern and the dummy color pattern form
the dummy pattern, and the spacer part overlaps with the dummy
pattern.
8. The display device of claim 7, wherein the spacer part and the
bank part are integrally formed.
9. The display device of claim 7, wherein the bank layer at least
partially covers the dummy pattern.
10. The display device of claim 1, wherein the bank layer is not
disposed in the light-emitting areas.
11. A display device comprising: a display substrate including a
first substrate; subpixel electrodes disposed on the first
substrate and provided in their respective subpixels; a
pixel-defining film disposed on the surface of the first substrate,
along boundaries of each of the subpixels, and exposes the subpixel
electrodes; an emission layer disposed on the subpixel electrodes
exposed by the pixel-defining film; and a common electrode disposed
on the emission layer; and a color conversion substrate including a
second substrate including a plurality of light-emitting areas and
a light-blocking area surrounding the light-emitting areas; a color
filter layer disposed on a surface of the second substrate facing
the first substrate and includes a plurality of color filters
disposed in their respective light-emitting areas and a dummy color
pattern disposed in the light-blocking area; a light-transmitting
layer disposed on the color filter layer and includes a
light-transmitting dummy pattern disposed on the dummy color
pattern; and a bank layer disposed in the light-blocking area,
wherein the dummy color pattern and the light-transmitting dummy
pattern form a dummy pattern, and the bank layer includes a spacer
part and a bank part, wherein the spacer part overlaps the dummy
pattern, and wherein the bank part does not overlap with the dummy
pattern and has a larger height than the spacer part with respect
to the first substrate.
12. The display device of claim 11, wherein the color filters
include a first color filter, a second color filter, and a third
color filter, wherein the first color filter selectively transmits
light of a first color therethrough and overlaps a first
light-emitting area among the plurality of light-emitting areas,
wherein the second color filter selectively transmits light of a
second color therethrough and overlaps a second light-emitting area
among the plurality of light-emitting areas, wherein the third
color filter selectively transmits light of a third color
therethrough and overlaps a third light-emitting area among the
plurality of light-emitting areas.
13. The display device of claim 12, wherein the dummy color pattern
includes the same material as at least one of the first, second, or
third color filters.
14. The display device of claim 12, wherein the dummy color pattern
includes a first dummy color pattern and a second dummy color
pattern disposed on the first dummy color pattern.
15. The display device of claim 14, wherein the first dummy color
pattern includes the same material as the first color filter, and
the second dummy color pattern includes the same material as the
second color filter.
16. The display device of claim 12, wherein the light-transmitting
layer further includes a light-transmitting pattern disposed on the
first color filter, and the color conversion substrate further
includes a first wavelength conversion pattern, and a second
wavelength conversion pattern, wherein the first wavelength
conversion pattern converts light of the first color into light of
the second color and is disposed on the second color filter,
wherein the second wavelength conversion pattern converts light of
the first color into light of the third color and is disposed on
the third color filter.
17. The display device of claim 11, wherein the bank part and the
spacer part are integrally formed.
18. The display device of claim 11, wherein the bank layer overlaps
with the pixel-defining film in a thickness direction.
19. The display device of claim 11, wherein the spacer part is
disposed on the display substrate.
20. The display device of claim 11, further comprising: a filling
layer disposed between the display substrate and the color
conversion substrate to couple the display substrate and the color
conversion substrate to each other.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119
to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0081934, filed on Jul. 3,
2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein
in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a display device, and more
particularly to, a display device including a bank layer.
DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART
[0003] Display devices have become increasingly utilized with the
development of multimedia, and various types of display devices,
such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, an organic
light-emitting diode (OLED) display device, or the like, have been
used.
[0004] A self-luminous display device, which is a type of display
device, includes self-luminous elements such as OLEDs. Typical
self-luminous elements may include two electrodes facing each other
and an emission layer interposed between the two electrodes. In a
case where the self-luminous elements are OLEDs, electrons and
holes from the two electrodes may recombine together in the
emission layer to generate excitons, and light may be emitted in
response to the transition of the excitons from an excited state to
a ground state.
[0005] The self-luminous display device does not need a separate
light source and can thus has a low-power consumption, and can
provide a relatively thin and light-weight display device with
high-quality characteristics such as wide viewing angles, high
luminance and contrast, and a fast response speed.
SUMMARY
[0006] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a display device includes: a substrate including
light-emitting areas and a light-blocking area including a spacer
area; a color filter layer disposed on the substrate and including
color filters, and a dummy color pattern, wherein the color filters
are disposed in the light emitting areas, and the dummy color
pattern is disposed in the spacer area; a light-transmitting layer
disposed on the color filter layer and including a
light-transmitting pattern and a light-transmitting dummy pattern,
wherein the light-transmitting pattern is disposed on the color
filters, and the light-transmitting dummy pattern is disposed on
the dummy color pattern; and a bank layer disposed on the dummy
color pattern, wherein the bank layer includes a spacer part
disposed in the light-blocking area, and a bank part disposed in
the light-blocking area, wherein the spacer part overlaps the
spacer area, wherein the bank part has a smaller height than the
spacer part with respect to the substrate, and does not overlap the
spacer area.
[0007] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
color filters include a first color filter, a second color filter,
and a third color filter, wherein the first color filter
selectively transmits light of a first color therethrough, wherein
the second color filter selectively transmits light of a second
color therethrough, and wherein the third color filter selectively
transmits light of a third color therethrough.
[0008] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
dummy color pattern includes the same material as at least one of
the first, second, or third color filters.
[0009] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
dummy color pattern includes a first dummy color pattern and a
second dummy color pattern disposed on the first dummy color
pattern. The first dummy color pattern includes the same material
as the first color filter, and the second dummy color pattern
includes the same material as the second color filter.
[0010] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
display device further includes: a wavelength conversion layer
disposed on the color filter layer, in the light-emitting areas,
wherein the light-transmitting pattern is disposed on the first
color filter, and the wavelength conversion layer includes a first
wavelength conversion pattern, and a second wavelength conversion
pattern, wherein the first wavelength conversion pattern is
disposed on the second color filter, and the second wavelength
conversion pattern is disposed on the third color filter.
[0011] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
first color is blue, the second color is green, and third color is
red.
[0012] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
light-transmitting dummy pattern overlaps with the dummy color
pattern. The light-transmitting dummy pattern and the dummy color
pattern form the dummy pattern, and the spacer part overlaps with
the dummy pattern.
[0013] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
spacer part and the bank part are integrally formed.
[0014] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
bank layer at least partially covers the dummy pattern.
[0015] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
bank layer is not disposed in the light-emitting areas.
[0016] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a display device includes: a display substrate including
a first substrate; subpixel electrodes disposed on the first
substrate and provided in their respective subpixels; a
pixel-defining film disposed on the surface of the first substrate,
along boundaries of each of the subpixels, and exposes the subpixel
electrodes; an emission layer disposed on the subpixel electrodes
exposed by the pixel-defining film; and a common electrode disposed
on the emission layer; and a color conversion substrate including a
second substrate including a plurality of light-emitting areas and
a light-blocking area surrounding the light-emitting areas; a color
filter layer disposed on a surface of the second substrate facing
the first substrate and includes a plurality of color filters
disposed in their respective light-emitting areas and a dummy color
pattern disposed in the light-blocking area; a light-transmitting
layer disposed on the color filter layer and includes a
light-transmitting dummy pattern disposed on the dummy color
pattern; and a bank layer disposed in the light-blocking area,
wherein the dummy color pattern and the light-transmitting dummy
pattern form a dummy pattern, and the bank layer includes a spacer
part and a bank part, wherein the spacer part overlaps the dummy
pattern, and wherein the bank part does not overlap with the dummy
pattern and has a larger height than the spacer part with respect
to the first substrate.
[0017] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
color filters include a first color filter, a second color filter,
and a third color filter, wherein the first color filter
selectively transmits light of a first color therethrough and
overlaps a first light-emitting area among other light-emitting
areas, wherein the second color filter selectively transmits light
of a second color therethrough and overlaps a second light-emitting
area among other light-emitting areas, wherein the third color
filter selectively transmits light of a third color therethrough
and overlaps a third light-emitting area among other light-emitting
areas.
[0018] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
dummy color pattern includes the same material as at least one of
the first, second, or third color filters.
[0019] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
dummy color pattern includes a first dummy color pattern and a
second dummy color pattern disposed on the first dummy color
pattern.
[0020] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
first dummy color pattern includes the same material as the first
color filter, and the second dummy color pattern includes the same
material as the second color filter.
[0021] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
light-transmitting layer further includes a light-transmitting
pattern disposed on the first color filter, and the color
conversion substrate further includes a first wavelength conversion
pattern, and a second wavelength conversion pattern, wherein the
first wavelength conversion pattern converts light of the first
color into light of the second color and is disposed on the second
color filter, wherein the second wavelength conversion pattern
converts light of the first color into light of the third color and
is disposed on the third color filter.
[0022] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
bank part and the spacer part are integrally formed.
[0023] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
bank layer overlaps with the pixel-defining film in a thickness
direction.
[0024] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
spacer part is disposed on the display substrate.
[0025] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
display device further includes: a filling layer disposed between
the display substrate and the color conversion substrate to couple
the display substrate and the color conversion substrate to each
other.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] The above and other features of the present invention will
become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments
thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display device according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II' of
FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a layout view illustrating the arrangement of
pixels of the display device of FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the display device of
FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of fabricating a
color conversion substrate of a display device according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 are cross-sectional views
illustrating steps of a method of fabricating a display device
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a color conversion
substrate of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention;
[0034] FIGS. 13 and 14 are cross-sectional views illustrating a
method of fabricating a color conversion substrate of a display
device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0035] FIG. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a spacer of a
display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0036] FIG. 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a spacer of a
display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0037] FIG. 17 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a spacer of a
display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0038] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a display device
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0039] The present invention will now be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The
present invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and
should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth
herein.
[0040] It will also be understood that when a layer is referred to
as being "on" another layer or substrate, it can be directly on the
other layer or substrate, or intervening layers may be present. The
same reference numbers may indicate the same components throughout
the specification, and thus, repetitive descriptions may be
omitted.
[0041] It will be understood that, although the terms "first,"
"second," etc. may be used herein to describe various elements,
these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms
are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For
instance, a first element discussed below could be termed a second
element without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention. Similarly, the second element could also be termed the
first element.
[0042] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will
hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0043] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display device according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a
cross-sectional view taken along line II-II' of FIG. 1.
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a display device 1 may refer to
nearly all types of electronic devices that include a display
screen. Examples of the display device 1 may include a television
(TV), a notebook computer, a monitor, a billboard, a mobile phone,
a smartphone, a tablet personal computer (PC), an electronic watch,
a smartwatch, a watchphone, a mobile communication terminal, an
electronic notepad, an electronic book, a portable multimedia
player (PMP), a navigation device, a gaming console, a digital
camera, and an Internet-of-Things (IoT) device.
[0045] First, second, and third directions DR1, DR2, and DR3 are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. For example, the first
and second directions DR1 and DR2 may be directions that are
substantially perpendicular to each other within the same plane.
The third direction DR3 may be a direction that is substantially
perpendicular to the plane that includes the first and second
directions DR1 and DR2. The third direction DR3 may be
substantially perpendicular to each of the first and second
directions DR1 and DR2. For example, the third direction DR3 refers
to the thickness direction of the display device 1.
[0046] Unless specified otherwise, the terms "above" and "top", as
used herein, refer to the third direction DR3 (or the display
direction of the display device 1), and the term "top surface", as
used herein, refers to a surface that is directed in the third
direction DR3. Also, unless specified otherwise, the terms "below"
and "bottom", as used herein, refer to the opposite direction of
the third direction DR3 (or the opposite direction of the display
direction of the display device 1), and the term "bottom surface",
as used herein, refers to a surface that is directed in the
opposite direction of the third direction DR3. For example, the
"top surface" may be opposite the "bottom surface" in the third
direction DR3.
[0047] The display device 1 may have, for example, a rectangular
shape in a plan view. For example, the display device 1 may have a
rectangular shape having long sides in the first direction DR1 and
short sides in the second direction DR2 in a plan view. The corners
where the long sides, in the first direction DR1, of the display
device 1 and the short sides, in the second direction DR2, of the
display device 1 meet may be right-angled or may be rounded to have
a predetermined curvature. The planar shape of the display device 1
is not particularly limited. For example, the display device 1 may
have various other shapes such as a circular shape in a plan
view.
[0048] The display device 1 may include a display area DA, which
displays an image, and a non-display area NDA, which does not
display an image. The display area DA may include a plurality of
pixels PX. The non-display area NDA may be disposed on the
periphery of the display area DA and may at least partially
surround the display area DA. For example, the non-display area NDA
may completely surround the display area DA.
[0049] The display device 1 may include a display substrate 10 and
a color conversion substrate 30, which faces the display substrate
10. The display device 1 may further include a sealing member 50,
which couples the display substrate 10 and the color conversion
substrate 30 to each other, and a filling layer 70, which fills the
gap between the display substrate 10 and the color conversion
substrate 30.
[0050] Light of a particular peak wavelength may be emitted from a
plurality of emission areas in the display area DA of the display
substrate 10. The display substrate 10 may include elements and
circuits for displaying an image. For example, the display
substrate 10 may include pixel circuits such as switching elements,
a pixel-defining film, and self-luminous elements. For example, the
pixel defining film may define the emission areas and a
non-emission area in the display area DA. For example, each of the
self-luminous elements may include at least one of an organic
light-emitting diode (OLED), a quantum-dot light-emitting diode
(QLED), an inorganic material-based micro light-emitting diode
(micro LED), and an inorganic material-based nano light-emitting
diode (nano LED). The self-luminous elements will hereinafter be
described as being, for example, OLEDs.
[0051] The color conversion substrate 30 may be disposed above the
display substrate 10 and may face the display substrate 10. The
color conversion substrate 30 may convert the peak wavelength of
light emitted from the display substrate and may transmit the
wavelength-converted light therethrough, or may transmit the light
emitted from the display substrate 10 as it is while maintaining
the peak wavelength of the emitted light.
[0052] The sealing member 50 may be disposed between the display
substrate 10 and the color conversion substrate 30, in the
non-display area NDA. The sealing member 50 may be disposed along
the edges of each of the display substrate 10 and the color
conversion substrate 30, in the non-display area NDA, and may
surround the display area DA in a plan view. The display substrate
10 and the color conversion substrate 30 may be coupled together by
the sealing member 50.
[0053] The filling layer 70 may be disposed in the space between
the display substrate 10 and the color conversion substrate 30, and
may be surrounded by the sealing member 50. The filling layer 70
may fill the gap between the display substrate 10 and the color
conversion substrate 30. The filler layer 70 may be formed of a
material through which light can pass through. The filling layer 70
may include an organic material. For example, the filling layer 70
may be formed of silicon (Si) based organic material or an
epoxy-based organic material, but the present invention is not
limited thereto.
[0054] FIG. 3 is a layout view illustrating the arrangement of
pixels of the display device of FIG. 1.
[0055] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the display area DA of the
display device 1 may include a plurality of pixels PX. The pixels
PX may refer to minimal repeating units for displaying an image.
Each of the pixels PX may include a plurality of subpixels PXS. For
example, each of the pixels PX may include a first subpixel PXS1,
which emits light of a first color, a second subpixel PXS2, which
emits light of a second color, and a third subpixel PXS3, which
emits light of a third color, but the present invention is not
limited thereto. The first, second, and third colors may be blue,
green, and red, respectively. One first subpixel PXS1, one second
subpixel PXS2, and one third subpixel PXS3 may be provided in each
of the pixels PX.
[0056] Each of the pixels PX may include a plurality of
light-emitting areas TA and a light-blocking area BA around the
light-emitting areas TA. The light-emitting areas TA may be areas
that output light emitted from the display substrate 10 to the
outside of the display device 1 through the color conversion
substrate 30, and the light-blocking area BA may be an area through
which the light emitted from the display substrate 10 does not pass
through.
[0057] The light-emitting areas TA (TA: TA1, TA2, TA3) may include
first, second, and third light-emitting areas TA1, TA2, and TA3.
The first, second, and third light-emitting areas TA1, TA2, and TA3
may be the light-emitting areas of the first, second, and third
subpixels PXS1, PXS2, and PXS3, respectively.
[0058] For example, first light-emitting areas TA1, second
light-emitting areas TA2, and third light-emitting areas TA3 may be
arranged in a so-called "S stripe"-type fashion. For example, the
second light-emitting areas TA2 and the third light-emitting areas
TA3 may be arranged in each odd-numbered row to alternate with each
other in a row direction. The first light-emitting areas TA1 may be
arranged in each even-numbered row to repeat one after another in
the row direction.
[0059] The shapes of the subpixels PXS in each of the pixels PX may
be similar to the shape of the light-emitting areas TA of the
subpixels PXS in each of the pixels PX, but the present invention
is not limited thereto. The planar shapes and the arrangement of
the light-emitting areas TA of the subpixels PXS in each of the
pixels PX are not limited to those illustrated in FIG. 3 and may
vary.
[0060] In each of the pixels PX, the light-blocking area BA may be
disposed to surround a plurality of light-emitting areas TA. In
each of the pixels PX, the light-emitting areas TA of the subpixels
PXS may be divided by the light-blocking area BA. The
light-blocking areas BA of a pair of adjacent pixels PX may adjoin
each other. The light-blocking areas BA of the pair of adjacent
pixels PX may be connected to each other. The light-blocking areas
of all the pixels PX may be connected, but the present invention is
not limited thereto.
[0061] The display device 1 may include one or more spacers CS. The
spacers CS may be disposed in light-blocking areas BA. The spacers
CS may be disposed in the light-blocking areas BA and may not
overlap with light-emitting areas TA. For example, each of the
spacers CS may be disposed across a pair of adjacent pixels PX. The
diameter of the spacers CS may be greater than the minimum width of
the light-blocking areas BA. FIG. 3 illustrates that each of the
spacers CS is disposed across two adjacent pixels PX, but the
present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, a plurality
of spacers CS may be disposed in each of the pixels PX.
[0062] The spacers CS may maintain the cell gap between the display
substrate 10 and the color conversion substrate 30. The spacers CS
will be described later in detail.
[0063] The pixels PX may be alternately arranged in the row
direction and a column direction. The shapes and the arrangement of
the subpixels PXS in each of the pixels PX may be uniform, but the
present invention is not limited thereto. The pixels PX, each
including a plurality of subpixels PXS, may have a polygonal shape
such as a square shape, but the present invention is not limited
thereto. In addition, the pixels PX may have a rhombus shape, a
rectangular shape, or the like.
[0064] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the display device of
FIG. 1.
[0065] Referring to FIG. 4, the display substrate 10 may include a
first substrate 110, a pixel-defining film PDL, which is disposed
on a surface of the first substrate 110, a plurality of
light-emitting elements, and a thin-film encapsulation structure
120, which covers the light-emitting elements. The color conversion
substrate 30 may include a second substrate 310, a color control
structure (321, 330, 340, WCL, and TPL_1), which is disposed on a
surface of the second substrate 310 that faces the first substrate
110, and a spacer CS.
[0066] The display substrate 10 will hereinafter be described.
[0067] The first substrate 110 may be an insulating substrate. The
first substrate 110 may include, for example, a transparent
material. For example, the first substrate 110 may include a
transparent insulating material such as glass or quartz. For
example, the first substrate 110 may be a rigid substrate. However,
the present invention is not limited to this example. For example,
the first substrate 110 may include plastic such as polyimide (PI)
and may have a flexible characteristic such as bendability,
foldability, or rollability.
[0068] A plurality of subpixel electrodes PXSE may be disposed on
the surface of the first substrate 110. The subpixel electrodes
PXSE may be respectively disposed in different subpixels PXS. The
subpixel electrodes PXSE may be separate from one another. A
circuit layer, which drives the subpixel electrodes PXSE may be
disposed between the first substrate 110 and the subpixel
electrodes PXSE. For example, the circuit layer may include a
plurality of thin-film transistors and a capacitor.
[0069] The subpixel electrodes PXSE may be the first electrodes
(e.g., anode electrodes) of light-emitting elements (or
light-emitting diodes (LEDs)). The subpixel electrodes PXSE may
have a structure in which a high-work-function material layer of
indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO),
or indium oxide (In.sub.2O.sub.3) and a reflective material layer
of silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), lead
(Pb), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir),
chromium (Cr), lithium (Li), calcium (Ca), or a mixture thereof are
stacked. The high-work-function material may be disposed on the
reflective material layer, close to emission layers EML. The
subpixel electrodes PXSE may have a multilayer structure of ITO/Mg,
ITO/MgF, ITO/Ag, or ITO/Ag/ITO, but the present invention is not
limited thereto.
[0070] The pixel-defining film PDL may be disposed on the surface
of the first substrate 110, along the boundaries of the subpixels
PXS. The pixel-defining film PDL may be disposed on the subpixel
electrodes PXSE and may include openings that expose the subpixel
electrodes PXSE. Non-emission areas NEM and emission areas EMA may
be divided by the pixel-defining film PDL and the openings in the
pixel-defining film PDL. The pixel-defining film PDL may space
apart and insulate the subpixel electrodes PXSE from one
another.
[0071] The pixel-defining film PDL may include an organic
insulating material such as an acrylic resin, an epoxy resin, a
phenolic resin, a polyimide resin, a polyimide resin, an
unsaturated polyester resin, a polyphenylene resin, a polyphenylene
sulfide resin, or benzocyclobutene (BCB). In addition, the
pixel-defining film PDL may include an inorganic material.
[0072] The emission layers EML are disposed on parts of the
subpixel electrodes PXSE exposed by the pixel-defining film PDL. In
a case where the display device 1 is an OLED display device, the
emission layers EML may include organic layers that include an
organic material. The organic layers may include organic
light-emitting layers and may further include a hole
injection/transport layer and/or an electron injection/transport
layer as auxiliary layers that assist with the emission of light.
In addition, in a case where the display device 1 is a micro-LED
display device or a nano-LED display device, the emission layers
EML may include an inorganic material such as an inorganic
semiconductor.
[0073] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
emission layers EML may each have a tandem structure including a
plurality of organic light-emitting layers disposed to overlap with
one another in a thickness direction and one or more charge
generation layers disposed between the plurality of organic
light-emitting layers. The plurality of organic light-emitting
layers may emit light of the same wavelength or light of different
wavelengths. At least some of the layers of each of the emission
layers EML may be separated from each other in the area between
adjacent subpixels PXS.
[0074] The wavelength of light emitted by the emission layers EML
may be substantially uniform throughout the subpixels PXS. For
example, the emission layers EML may all emit blue light or
ultraviolet light, and due to the presence of a wavelength
conversion layer WCL in the color control structure (321, 330, 340,
WCL, and TPL_1), the display device 1 may display different colors
in different subpixels PXS.
[0075] In addition, the wavelength of light emitted by the emission
layers EML may differ from one subpixel PXS to another subpixel
PXS. For example, the emission layer EML of a first subpixel PXS1
may emit light of a first color, and the emission layer EML of a
second subpixel PXS2 may emit light of a second color. In addition,
the emission layer EML of a third subpixel PXS3 may emit light of a
third color.
[0076] A common electrode CME may be disposed on the emission
layers EML. The common electrode CME may be in contact not only
with the emission layers EML, but also with the top surface of the
pixel-defining film PDL.
[0077] Parts of the common electrode CME may all be connected
without regard to distinction between the subpixels PXS. For
example, the common electrode CME may be a full-surface electrode
disposed on the entire surface of the first substrate 110 without
regard to distinction between the subpixels PXS. However, the
present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the
common electrode CME may be divided. The common electrode CME may
be the second electrodes (e.g., cathode electrodes) of LEDs.
[0078] The common electrode CME may include a low-work-function
material layer of, for example, Li, Ca, LiF/Ca, LiF/Al, Al, Mg, Ag,
Pt, Pd, Ni, Au Nd, Ir, Cr, BaF, Ba, or a compound or mixture
thereof (e.g., the mixture of Ag and Mg). The common electrode CME
may further include a transparent metal oxide layer, which is
disposed on the low-work-function material layer.
[0079] The subpixel electrodes PXSE, the emission layer EML, and
the common electrode
[0080] CME may form light-emitting elements (e.g., OLEDs). Light
emitted by the emission layers EML may be output in the display
direction of the display device 1, for example, in the third
direction DR3, via the common electrode CME.
[0081] The thin-film encapsulation structure 120 may be disposed on
the common electrode CME. The thin-film encapsulation structure 120
may include one or more thin-film encapsulation layers. For
example, the thin-film encapsulation layers may include a first
inorganic film 121, an organic film 122, and a second inorganic
film 123. The first and second inorganic films 121 and 123 may
include, for example, silicon nitride, silicon oxide, or silicon
oxynitride. The organic film 122 may include an organic insulating
material such as an acrylic resin, an epoxy resin, a phenolic
resin, a polyamide resin, a polyimide resin, an unsaturated
polyester resin, a polyphenylene resin, a polyphenylene sulfide
resin, or BCB.
[0082] The color conversion substrate 30 will hereinafter be
described.
[0083] The color conversion substrate 30 may be disposed to face
the thin-film encapsulation structure 120 of the display substrate
10. For example, the color conversion substrate 30 may be disposed
above the thin-film encapsulation structure 120. Referring to the
cross-sectional structure of the color conversion substrate 30 in
the opposite direction of the third direction DR3 (i.e., in the
lower direction), the second substrate 310 of the color conversion
substrate 30 may include a transparent material. For example, the
second substrate 310 may include a transparent insulating material
such as glass or quartz. The second substrate 310 may be a rigid
substrate. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this
example. For example, the second substrate 310 may include plastic
such as PI and may have a flexible characteristic such as
bendability, foldability, or rollability.
[0084] The second substrate 310 may be the same as the first
substrate 110 or may be different from the first substrate 110 in
terms of the material, thickness, and transmittance thereof. For
example, the second substrate 310 may have a higher transmittance
than the first substrate 110. Since the second substrate 310
includes a material capable of transmitting light therethrough, the
second substrate 310 can transmit light emitted from first, second,
and third light-emitting areas TA1, TA2, and TA3 therethrough and
can thus provide the light to the outside of the display device 1.
The second substrate 310 may be thicker or thinner than the first
substrate 110.
[0085] An upper light-absorbing member UAB may be disposed on the
surface of the second substrate 310 that faces the first substrate
110, along the boundaries of each of the subpixels PXS.
[0086] The upper light-absorbing member UAB may overlap with the
pixel-defining film PDL of the display substrate 10 and may be
disposed in a light-blocking area BA. The upper light-absorbing
member UAB may include openings that expose parts of the surface of
the second substrate 310 that overlap with the emission areas EMA.
The upper light-absorbing member UAB may block the emission of
light from the display device 1 and may suppress the reflection of
external light. The upper light-absorbing member UAB may be formed
in a lattice shape in a plan view.
[0087] The upper light-absorbing member UAB may include an organic
material. For example, the upper light-absorbing member UAB may
include a light-absorbing material capable of absorbing visible
light. For example, the upper light-absorbing member UAB may be
formed of a material that can be used as a black matrix. The upper
light-absorbing member UAB may be a type of light-blocking
member.
[0088] For example, the upper light-absorbing member UAB may absorb
visible light of a particular wavelength range and may transmit
visible light of another particular wavelength range therethrough.
For example, the upper light-absorbing member UAB may include the
same material as one color filter layer CFL. For example, the upper
light-absorbing member UAB may be formed of the same material as a
first color filter layer 320, which is a blue filter layer.
[0089] A color filter layer CFL may be disposed on the surface of
the second substrate 310 where the upper light-absorbing member UAB
is disposed. The color filter layer CFL may block the emission of
light of colors other than the colors of the subpixels PXS. In
addition, the color filter layer CFL may form a dummy pattern DP
for forming a spacer CS that will be described later and may
control the height of the spacer CS.
[0090] The color filter layer CFL may be disposed in light-emitting
areas TA and in a spacer area SA in the light-blocking area BA. The
spacer area SA may be an area in which the spacer CS is to be
disposed.
[0091] In the light-emitting areas TA, the color filter layer CFL
may be disposed on at least parts of the surface of the second
substrate 310, exposed through the openings of the upper
light-absorbing member UAB. In addition, the color filter layer CFL
may be disposed in part on at least parts of the upper
light-absorbing member UAB near the light-emitting areas TA. In the
spacer area SA, the color filter layer CFL may be disposed on a
surface of the upper light-absorbing member UAB.
[0092] The color filter layer CFL may include first, second, and
third color filter layers 320, 330, and 340. Each of the first,
second, and third color filter layers 320, 330, and 340 may
transmit light of a particular color thereof and may thus block or
absorb light of a color different from the particular color.
[0093] The first color filter layer 320 may include a material that
can selectively transmit light of the first color (e.g., blue
light) therethrough and can block or absorb light of the third
color (e.g., red light). For example, the first color filter layer
320 may be a blue filter layer and may include a blue colorant such
as a blue dye or pigment.
[0094] The first color filter layer 320 may include a first color
filter 321, which is disposed in the first light-emitting area TA1
of the first subpixel PXS1. The first color filter 321 may be
disposed on the exposed part of the surface of the second substrate
310 in the first light-emitting area TA1. The first color filter
321 may be disposed in part on at least a part of the upper
light-absorbing member UAB near the first light-emitting area TA1.
The first color filter 321 may be, for example, a blue filter.
[0095] The first color filter layer 320 may further include a first
dummy color pattern 322, which is disposed in the spacer area SA.
The first dummy color pattern 322 may include the same material as
the first color filter 321 and may be formed by the same process as
the first color filter 321. For example, the first color filter 321
and the first dummy color pattern 322 may be formed by forming the
first color filter layer 320 to be patterned by a single
process.
[0096] The first dummy color pattern 322 may be disposed on the
upper light-absorbing member UAB, in the spacer area SA. The first
dummy color pattern 322 may not be disposed in parts of the
light-blocking area BA near the spacer area SA. The first dummy
color pattern 322 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the first
color filter 321.
[0097] The first dummy color pattern 322 may be disposed in the
spacer area SA to form the dummy pattern DP.
[0098] The second color filter layer 330 may include a material
that can selectively transmit light of the second color (e.g.,
green light) therethrough and can block or absorb light of the
third color (e.g., red light). For example, the second color filter
layer 330 may be a green filter layer and may include a green
colorant such as a green dye or pigment.
[0099] The second color filter layer 330 may include a second color
filter 331, which is disposed in the second light-emitting area TA2
of the second subpixel PXS2. The second color filter 331 may be
disposed on the exposed part of the surface of the second substrate
310 in the second light-emitting area TA2. The second color filter
331 may be disposed in part on at least a part of the upper
light-absorbing member UAB near the second light-emitting area TA2.
The second color filter 331 may be a green filter.
[0100] The third color filter layer 340 may include a material that
can selectively transmit light of the third color (e.g., red light)
therethrough and can block or absorb light of colors different from
the third color, for example, light of the first color (e.g., blue
light) and light of the second color (e.g., green light). For
example, the third color filter layer 340 may be a red filter layer
and may include a red colorant such as a red dye or pigment.
[0101] The third color filter layer 340 may include a third color
filter 341, which is disposed in the third light-emitting area TA3
of the third subpixel PXS3. The third color filter 341 may be
disposed on the exposed part of the surface of the second substrate
310 in the third light-emitting area TA3. The third color filter
341 may be disposed in part on at least a part of the upper
light-absorbing member UAB near the third light-emitting area TA3.
The third color filter 341 may be a red filter.
[0102] A first capping layer CPL1 may be disposed on the color
filter layer CFL. The first capping layer CPL1 may prevent the
color filter layer CFL from being damaged or polluted by impurities
such as moisture or the air from the outside of the display device
1. The first capping layer CPL1 may prevent the colorants of the
color filter layer CFL from being diffused to other elements.
[0103] The first capping layer CPL1 may overlap the color filter
layer CFL. For example, the first capping layer CPL1 may be in
direct contact with a surface (e.g., the bottom surface in FIG. 4)
of the color filter layer CFL. The first capping layer CPL1 may
overlap parts of the upper light-absorbing member UAB exposed by
the color filter layer CFL. For example, the first capping layer
CPL1 may be in direct contact with parts of the surface of the
upper light-absorbing member UAB, exposed by the color filter layer
CFL.
[0104] The first capping layer CPL1 may be formed of an inorganic
material. For example, the first capping layer CPL1 may include
silicon nitride, aluminum nitride, zirconium nitride, titanium
nitride, hafnium nitride, tantalum nitride, silicon oxide, aluminum
oxide, titanium oxide, tin oxide, and/or silicon oxynitride.
[0105] A light-transmitting layer TPL may be disposed on the first
capping layer CPL1 to overlap with the first color filter layer
320. The light-transmitting layer TPL may be patterned to be
disposed in the first light-emitting area TA1 and the spacer area
SA of the light-blocking area BA.
[0106] The light-transmitting layer TPL may include a first base
resin BRS1 and a first scatterer SCP1, which is dispersed in the
first base resin BRS1.
[0107] The first base resin BRS1 may include a material with a
relatively high light transmittance. The first base resin BRS1 may
be formed of a transparent organic material. For example, the first
base resin BRS1 may include at least one of an epoxy resin, an
acrylic resin, a cardo resin, and/or an imide resin.
[0108] The first scatterer SCP1 may have a refractive index
different from the first base resin BRS1 and may form an optical
interface with the first base resin BRS1. The first scatterer SCP1
may include light-scattering particles that scatter at least some
light. For example, the first scatterer SCP1 may include a metal
oxide such as titanium oxide (TiO.sub.2), zirconium oxide
(ZrO.sub.2), aluminum oxide (Al.sub.2O.sub.3), indium oxide
(In.sub.2O.sub.3), zinc oxide (ZnO), or tin oxide (SnO.sub.2) or
organic particles such as particles of an acrylic resin or a
urethane resin. The first scatterer SCP1 may scatter light in
random directions regardless of the incident direction of the light
without substantially changing the peak wavelength of the
light.
[0109] The light-transmitting layer TPL may include a
light-transmitting pattern TPL_1, which is disposed in the first
light-emitting area TA1, and a light-transmitting dummy pattern
TPL_2, which is disposed in the spacer area SA. The
light-transmitting pattern TPL_1 may be disposed on the first color
filter 321, in the first light-emitting area TA1. The
light-transmitting dummy pattern TPL_2 may be disposed on the first
dummy color pattern 322, in the spacer area SA of the
light-blocking area BA. The light-transmitting pattern TPL_1 and
the light-transmitting dummy pattern TPL_2 may be disposed to be
spaced apart from each other. For example, the light-transmitting
pattern TPL_1 and the light-transmitting dummy pattern TPL_2 may
include the same material and may be formed to be patterned by a
single process. For example, the light-transmitting layer TPL may
be formed by applying a photosensitive material and subjecting the
photosensitive material to exposure and development processes.
However, the present invention is not limited thereto.
[0110] The light-transmitting pattern TPL_1 may overlap with the
first color filter 321, which is disposed in the first
light-emitting area TA1, in the third direction DR3. The
light-transmitting pattern TPL_1 may transmit therethrough light
incident thereupon from the display substrate 10 while maintaining
the wavelength of the incident light. The first scatterer SCP1 of
the light-transmitting pattern TPL1 may control the emission angle
of light to be emitted from the light-transmitting pattern TPL_1 by
scattering light. For example, first-color light emitted from a
first emission area EMA1 may be emitted out of the display device 1
as the first-color light through the light-transmitting pattern
TPL1 and the first color filter 321. Here, the first-color light
may be blue light.
[0111] The light-transmitting dummy pattern TPL_2 may overlap with
the first dummy color pattern 322, which is disposed in the spacer
area SA, in the third direction DR3. For example, the sidewalls of
the light-transmitting dummy pattern TPL_2 may be aligned with the
sidewalls of the first dummy color pattern 322, but the present
invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the sidewalls of the
light-transmitting dummy pattern TPL_2 may be arranged on the
inside of the sidewalls of the first dummy color pattern 322 to
expose at least parts of a surface of the light-transmitting dummy
pattern TPL_2.
[0112] The light-transmitting dummy pattern TPL_2 may form the
dummy pattern DP together with the first dummy color pattern 322.
The dummy pattern DP may protrude from the surface (e.g., the
bottom surface in FIG. 4) of the second substrate 310. The dummy
pattern DP may form a height difference with regard to the surface
of a bank layer 370 and may thus contribute to the formation of the
spacer CS and the control of the height of the spacer CS during the
formation of the bank layer 370 in the light-blocking area BA.
[0113] A second capping layer CPL2 is disposed on the
light-transmitting layer TPL. The second capping layer CPL2 may be
formed of an inorganic material. The second capping layer CPL2 may
include at least one from among the aforementioned materials that
can be used to form the first capping layer CPL. For example, the
second capping layer CPL2 may be formed of the same material as the
first capping layer CPL1, but the present invention is not limited
thereto.
[0114] The second capping layer CPL2 may cover the
light-transmitting layer TPL. The second capping layer CPL2 may
cover not only the bottom surface, but also the side surfaces, of
each of the light-transmitting pattern TPL_1 and the
light-transmitting dummy pattern TPL_2. For example, the second
capping layer CPL2 may be in contact with the first capping layer
CPL1. For example, the second capping layer CPL2 may not be in
contact with the first capping layer CPL1 in the first
light-emitting area TA1 and the spacer area SA. As another example,
the second capping layer CPL2 may not be in contact with the first
capping layer CPL1 when the second capping layer CPL2 contacts the
light transmitting dummy pattern TPL_2. The second capping layer
CPL2 may have a conformal shape to height differences formed by the
light-transmitting pattern TPL_1 and the light-transmitting dummy
pattern TPL_2. The gap between the light-transmitting pattern TPL_1
and the light-transmitting dummy pattern TPL_2 may not be
completely filled with the second capping layer CPL2, but may have
a predetermined depth.
[0115] The wavelength conversion layer WCL is disposed on the
second capping layer CPL2. The wavelength conversion layer WCL may
include a first wavelength conversion pattern WCL1, which is
disposed in the second light-emitting area TA2 of the second
subpixel PXS2, and a second wavelength conversion pattern WCL2,
which is disposed in the third light-emitting area TA3 of the third
subpixel PXS3.
[0116] The first wavelength conversion pattern WCL1 may include a
second base resin BRS2 and a first wavelength conversion material
WCP1, which is dispersed in the second base resin BRS2. The first
wavelength conversion pattern WCL1 may further include a second
scatterer SCP2, which is dispersed in the second base resin BRS2.
The second wavelength conversion pattern WCL2 may include a third
base resin BRS3 and a second wavelength conversion material WCP2,
which is dispersed in the third base resin BRS3. The second
wavelength conversion pattern WCL2 may further include a third
scatterer SCP3, which is dispersed in the third base resin
BRS3.
[0117] The second and third base resins BRS2 and BRS3 may include a
material with a relatively high light transmittance. The second and
third base resins BRS2 and BRS3 may be formed of a transparent
organic material. For example, the second and third base resins
BRS2 and BRS3 may be formed of the same material as the first base
resin BRS1 or may include at least one of the aforementioned
materials that can be used to form the first base resin BRS1. The
first, second, and third base resins BRS1, BRS2, and BRS3 may
include the same material, but the present invention is not limited
thereto. For example, the first, second and third base resins BRS1,
BRS2 and BRS3 may each be formed of a different material from each
other.
[0118] The second and third scatterers SCP2 and SCP3 may be metal
oxide particles or organic particles. The second and third
scatterers SCP2 and SCP3 may include light-scattering particles
that scatter at least some light. For example, the second and third
scatterers SCP2 and SCP3 may be formed of the same material as the
first scatterer SCP1 or may include at least one of the
aforementioned materials that can be used to form the first
scatterer SCP1. For example, the first, second and third scatterers
SCP1, SCP2 and SCP3 may each be formed of a different material from
each other.
[0119] The first wavelength conversion material WCP1 may include a
material that converts first-color light into second-color light,
and the second wavelength conversion material WCP2 may include a
material that converts first-color light into third-color light.
For example, the first wavelength conversion material WCP1 may be a
material that converts blue light into green light, and the second
wavelength conversion material WCP2 may be a material that converts
blue light into red light. For example, the first and second
wavelength conversion materials WCP1 and WCP2 may be quantum dots,
quantum rods, or phosphors. The quantum dots may include group IV
nanocrystals, group II-VI compound nanocrystals, group III-V
compound nanocrystals, group IV-VI nanocrystals, or a combination
thereof.
[0120] The first wavelength conversion pattern WCL1 may overlap
with the second color filter 331, which is disposed in the second
light-emitting area TA2, in the third direction DR3. The first
wavelength conversion pattern WCL1 may convert first-color light
incident thereupon from the display substrate 10 into second-color
light. For example, first-color light emitted from a second
emission area EMA2 may be emitted out of the display device 1 as
second-color light through the first wavelength conversion pattern
WCL1 and the second color filter 331. Here, the second-color light
may be green light.
[0121] The second wavelength conversion pattern WCL2 may overlap
with the third color filter 341, which is disposed in the third
light-emitting area TA3, in the third direction DR3.
[0122] The second wavelength conversion pattern WCL2 may convert
first-color light incident thereupon from the display substrate 10
into third-color light. For example, first-color light emitted from
a third emission area EMA3 may be emitted out of the display device
1 as third-color light through the second wavelength conversion
pattern WCL2 and the third color filter 341. Here, the third-color
light may be red light.
[0123] The wavelength conversion layer WCL or the
light-transmitting pattern TPL_1 of the light-transmitting layer
TPL may be disposed to be separated from each other based on their
corresponding subpixels PXS. The first wavelength conversion
pattern WCL1, the second wavelength conversion pattern WCL2, the
light-transmitting pattern TPL_1, and the light-transmitting dummy
pattern TPL_2 may be disposed in the same pixel PX to be spaced
apart from one another. The gaps between the first wavelength
conversion pattern WCL1, the second wavelength conversion pattern
WCL2, the light-transmitting pattern TPL_1, and the
light-transmitting dummy pattern TPL_2 may generally overlap with
the light-blocking area BA except for the spacer area SA. For
example, the gaps between the first wavelength conversion pattern
WCL1, the second wavelength conversion pattern WCL2, the
light-transmitting pattern TPL_1, and the light-transmitting dummy
pattern TPL_2 may form valleys.
[0124] The bank layer 370 may be disposed on the second capping
layer CPL2. The bank layer 370 may be disposed in the
light-blocking area BA, along the boundaries of each of the
subpixels PXS. The bank layer 370 may overlap with the upper
light-absorbing member UAB and/or the pixel-defining film PDL. For
example, the bank layer 370 may be formed in a lattice shape from a
plan view.
[0125] The bank layer 370 may be formed of a material capable of
blocking the transmission of light therethrough and may prevent
light from one subpixel PXS from infiltrating into other
neighboring subpixels PXS and thereby causing color mixing. In a
case where the wavelength conversion layer WCL is formed via, for
example, inkjet printing, the bank layer 370 may serve as a barrier
for guiding an ink composition to be stably sprayed onto each
desired location during the formation of the wavelength conversion
layer WCL.
[0126] The bank layer 370 may include a spacer part 372, which is
disposed in the spacer area SA of the light-blocking area BA, and a
bank part 371, which is disposed in the entire light-blocking area
BA except for the spacer area SA. The bank part 371 may account for
portions of the bank layer 370 that are disposed in the gaps
between the first wavelength conversion pattern WCL1, the second
wavelength conversion pattern WCL2, the light-transmitting pattern
TPL_1, and the light-transmitting dummy pattern TPL_2 that form
valleys.
[0127] The bank layer 370 may have a height difference on the
surface thereof. For example, the height difference of the bank
layer 370 may be due to the presence of an upper structure disposed
on the bank layer 370. The surface shape of the bank layer 370 may
conform to the upper structure. For example, the bank layer 370 may
protrude downwardly from the second substrate 310 toward the
display substrate 10 due to the dummy pattern DP, which is disposed
on the bank layer 370, in the spacer area SA.
[0128] The bank layer 370 may include a spacer part 372 with a
first height and a bank part 371 with a second height, which is
smaller than the first height. The height of the bank layer 370 may
be measured from a reference surface such as the surface (e.g., the
bottom surface) of the second substrate 310.
[0129] As already mentioned above, the spacer part 372 may be
disposed in the spacer area SA to overlap with the dummy pattern
DP. The bank part 371 may be disposed in the light-blocking area BA
except for the spacer area SA and may not overlap with the dummy
pattern DP. For example, the bank part 371 may be disposed in the
entire light-blocking area BA. The height of the surface (e.g., the
bottom surface in FIG. 4) of the spacer part 372 may be greater
than the height of the surface (e.g., the bottom surface in FIG. 4)
of the bank part 371 with respect to the second substrate 310. The
surface of the spacer part 372 may protrude from the surface of the
bank part 371 by as much as the thickness of the dummy pattern
DP.
[0130] Due to the dummy pattern DP, which protrudes from the
surface of the second substrate 310, the bank layer 370 may be
divided into the bank part 371 and the spacer part 372, which is
physically connected to the bank part 371 and protrudes downwardly
from the bank part 371, in the spacer area SA and parts of the
light-blocking area BA adjacent to the spacer area SA. Due to the
bank part 371 and the spacer part 371 having different heights, the
bank layer 370 may have a height difference in the spacer area SA
and parts of the light-blocking area BA adjacent to the spacer area
SA. The spacer part 372, which protrudes due to the dummy pattern
DP including the first dummy color pattern 322 and the
light-transmitting dummy pattern TPL_2, may form the spacer CS
together with the dummy pattern DP.
[0131] The spacer CS may maintain the distance to a structure
disposed thereabove. For example, the spacer CS may maintain the
cell gap or distance between the display substrate 10 and the color
conversion substrate 30. Thus, since the spacer CS is disposed
between the display substrate 10 and the second substrate 310 of
the color conversion substrate 30 to maintain the distance between
the display substrate 10 and the color conversion substrate 30, the
design of the viscosity and/or the rigidity of the filling layer 70
may not be needed to maintain the distance between the display
substrate 10 and the color conversion substrate 30. Thus, the
amount of time that it takes to fabricate the display device 1 can
be shortened, and the design of the filling layer 70 can be
facilitated.
[0132] The bank part 371 may be disposed between the
light-transmitting pattern TPL_1 and the first wavelength
conversion pattern WCL1, between the first wavelength conversion
pattern WCL1 and the second wavelength conversion pattern WCL2, and
between the second wavelength conversion pattern WCL2 and the
light-transmitting pattern TPL_1. In addition, the bank part 371
may be disposed between the light-transmitting pattern TPL_1 and
the light-transmitting dummy pattern TPL_2. Portions of the bank
part 371 near the spacer area SA may be integrally formed with, and
physically connected to, the spacer part 372.
[0133] A portion of the bank part 371 disposed between the
light-transmitting pattern TPL_1 and the first wavelength
conversion pattern WCL1 may overlap with part of the
light-transmitting pattern TPL_1, near the light-transmitting
pattern TPL1. One side surface and the bottom surface of the
portion of the bank part 371 near the light-transmitting pattern
TPL_1 may be in direct contact with part of the second capping
layer CPL_2 that covers a side surface of the light-transmitting
pattern TPL_1. The other side surface of the portion of the bank
part 371 near the light-transmitting pattern TPL_1 may be in direct
contact with a side surface of the first wavelength conversion
pattern WCL1.
[0134] Both side surfaces of a portion of the bank part 371
disposed between the first and second wavelength conversion
patterns WCL1 and WCL2 may be disposed on side surfaces of the
first and second wavelength conversion patterns WCL1 and WCL2. For
example, both side surfaces of a portion of the bank part 371
disposed between the first and second wavelength conversion
patterns WCL1 and WCL2 may be in direct contact with side surfaces
of the first and second wavelength conversion patterns WCL1 and
WCL2. The bottom surface of the portion of the bank part 371
disposed between the first and second wavelength conversion
patterns WCL1 and WCL2 may be disposed on the second capping layer
CPL2. For example, the bottom surface of the portion of the bank
part 371 disposed between the first and second wavelength
conversion patterns WCL1 and WCL2 may be in direct contact with the
second capping layer CPL2.
[0135] A side surface of a portion of the bank part 371 disposed
between the second wavelength conversion pattern WCL2 and the
light-transmitting pattern TPL_1 may be disposed on a side surface
of the second wavelength conversion pattern WCL2. For example, a
side surface of a portion of the bank part 371 disposed between the
second wavelength conversion pattern WCL2 and the
light-transmitting pattern TPL_1 may be in direct contact with a
side surface of the second wavelength conversion pattern WCL2.
Although not specifically illustrated, the bottom surface and the
other side surface of the portion of the bank part 371 disposed
between the second wavelength conversion pattern WCL2 and the
light-transmitting pattern TPL_1 may be disposed on part of the
second capping layer CPL2 that covers a side surface of the
light-transmitting pattern TPL_1. For example, the bottom surface
and the other side surface of the portion of the bank part 371
disposed between the second wavelength conversion pattern WCL2 and
the light-transmitting pattern TPL_1 may be in direct contact with
a part of the second capping layer CPL2 that covers a side surface
of the light-transmitting pattern TPL_1.
[0136] The bank part 371 may prevent light from one subpixel PXS
from infiltrating into other neighboring subpixels PXS and thereby
causing color mixing.
[0137] A third capping layer CPL3 may be disposed on the wavelength
conversion layer WCL, the light-transmitting pattern TPL1, and the
bank layer 370. The third capping layer CPL3 may be disposed on the
surface of the color conversion substrate 30 to cover the
wavelength conversion layer WCL, the light-transmitting pattern
TPL_1, and the bank layer 370. For example, the third capping layer
CPL3 may be disposed on the entire surface of the color conversion
substrate 30. For example, the third capping layer CPL3 may seal
the first wavelength conversion pattern WCL1, the second wavelength
conversion pattern WCL2, the light-transmitting pattern TPL_1, and
the bank layer 370 to prevent damage to, or pollution of, the first
wavelength conversion pattern WCL1, the second wavelength
conversion pattern WCL2, the light-transmitting pattern TPL1, and
the bank layer 370.
[0138] The third capping layer CPL3 may be disposed on the second
capping layer CPL2, the first and second wavelength conversion
patterns WCL1 and WCL2, and the bank layer 370. For example, the
third capping layer CPL3 may be in direct contact with the second
capping layer CPL2, in the first light-emitting area TA1, in direct
contact with the surfaces (e.g., the bottom surfaces in FIG. 4) of
the first and second wavelength conversion patterns WCL1 and WCL2,
in the second and third light-emitting areas TA2 and TA3, and in
direct contact with the surface (e.g., the bottom surface in FIG.
4) of the bank layer 370, in the light-blocking area BA. In
addition, the third capping layer CPL3 may be disposed on the
second inorganic film 123 of the thin-film encapsulation structure
120 of the display substrate 10, in the spacer area SA. For
example, the third capping layer CPL3 may be in contact with the
second inorganic film 123 in the spacer area SA
[0139] The third capping layer CPL3 may be formed of the same
material as the first or second capping layer CPL1 or CPL2 or may
include one of the aforementioned materials that can be used to
form the first or second capping layer CPL1 or CPL2.
[0140] The filling layer 70 may be disposed between the display
substrate 10 and the color conversion substrate 30. The filling
layer 70 may fill the gap between the display substrate 10 and the
color conversion substrate 30 and may couple the display substrate
10 and the color conversion substrate 30 together. The filling
layer 70 may be formed of, for example, a Si-based organic material
or an epoxy-based organic material, but the present invention is
not limited thereto.
[0141] The filling layer 70 may be disposed between the thin-film
encapsulation structure 120 of the display substrate 10 and the
third capping layer CPL3 of the color conversion substrate 30. The
filling layer 70 may not be disposed in an area that overlaps with
the spacer area SA.
[0142] The distance between the display substrate 10 and the color
conversion substrate 30 can be maintained by the spacer CS of the
color conversion substrate 30 without the need to additionally
design the viscosity and/or the rigidity of the filling layer 70.
Thus, the thickness of the display device 1 can be uniformly
maintained as compared to a case where the distance between the
display substrate 10 and the color conversion substrate 30 is
controlled simply with the use of the filling layer 70. Therefore,
any smudges that may be generated when the distance between the
display substrate 10 and the color conversion substrate 30 is not
uniform can be reduced.
[0143] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of fabricating a
color conversion substrate of a display device according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 6 through 11
are cross-sectional views illustrating steps of a method of
fabricating the display device of FIG. 4.
[0144] Referring to FIG. 5, a method of fabricating a color
conversion substrate 30 of a display device 1 may include the
following: forming an upper light-absorbing member UAB on a second
substrate 310 (S100); forming a color filter layer CFL (S200);
forming a light-transmitting layer TPL (S300); forming a bank layer
370, which includes a bank part 371 and a spacer part 372 (S400);
and forming a wavelength conversion layer WCL (S500).
[0145] The upper light-absorbing member UAB is formed on the second
substrate 310 (S100).
[0146] Referring to FIG. 6, the upper light-absorbing member UAB,
which is patterned, may be formed on a surface of the second
substrate 310. The upper light-absorbing member UAB may be disposed
in a light-blocking area BA. The upper light-absorbing member UAB,
which is patterned, may be formed by a coating process and/or an
exposure process. For example, the upper light-absorbing member
UAB, which is patterned, may include an organic light-absorbing
material and may be formed by formed by coating the organic
light-absorbing material and subjecting the organic light-absorbing
material to an exposure process.
[0147] Thereafter, referring again to FIG. 5, the color filter
layer CFL is formed on the surface of the second substrate 310
where the upper light-absorbing member UAB is formed (S200).
[0148] Referring to FIG. 7, the color filter layer CFL, which is
patterned, is formed on the surface of the second substrate 310 and
may overlap at least portions of the upper light-absorbing member
UAB. The color filter layer CFL may include first, second, and
third color filter layers 320, 330, and 340. Each of the first,
second, and third color filter layers 320, 330, and 340 may be
formed by applying a photosensitive organic material including a
predetermined color colorant and subjecting the photosensitive
organic material to exposure and development processes.
[0149] For example, the first color filter layer 320, which is
patterned, may be formed by applying a photosensitive organic
material including a first-color colorant and subjecting the
photosensitive organic material to exposure and development
processes. For example, the first color filter layer 320 may be
formed by applying a photosensitive organic material including a
blue colorant and subjecting the photosensitive organic material to
exposure and development processes. The first color filter layer
320, which is patterned, may include a first color filter 321,
which is disposed in a first light-emitting area TA1, and a first
dummy color pattern 322, which is disposed in a spacer area SA.
[0150] Similarly, the second color filter layer 330, which is
patterned, may be formed by applying a photosensitive organic
material including a second-color colorant and subjecting the
photosensitive organic material to exposure and development
processes. The third color filter layer 340, which is patterned,
may be formed by applying a photosensitive organic material
including a third-color colorant and subjecting the photosensitive
organic material to exposure and development processes. For
example, the second color filter layer 330 may be formed by
applying a photosensitive organic material including a green
colorant and subjecting the photosensitive organic material to
exposure and development processes. For example, the third color
filter layer 340 may be formed by applying a photosensitive organic
material including a red colorant and subjecting the photosensitive
organic material to exposure and development processes. The second
color filter layer 330, which is patterned, may include a second
color filter 331, which is disposed in a second light-emitting area
TA2, and the third color filter layer 340, which is patterned, may
include a third color filter 341, which is disposed in a third
light-emitting area TA3. Thereafter, a first capping layer CPL1,
which covers the color filter layer CFL and the upper
light-absorbing member UAB, is formed.
[0151] Thereafter, referring again to FIG. 5, the
light-transmitting layer TPL is formed on the first color filter
layer 320 (S300).
[0152] Referring to FIG. 8, the light-transmitting layer TPL, which
is patterned, is formed on the surface of the second substrate 310
and overlaps the color filter layer CFL. The light-transmitting
layer TPL may be formed by applying a photosensitive material and
subjecting the photosensitive material to exposure and development
processes. For example, the light-transmitting layer TPL may be
formed on the first color filter layer 320 by applying a
photosensitive material and subjecting the photosensitive material
to exposure and development processes. The light-transmitting layer
TPL, which is patterned, may include a light-transmitting pattern
TPL_1, which is disposed on the first color filter 321, and a
light-transmitting dummy pattern TPL 2, which is disposed on the
first dummy color pattern 322.
[0153] The first dummy color pattern 322 and the light-transmitting
dummy pattern TPL_2 may form a dummy pattern DP, which provides a
height difference for forming a spacer CS in the spacer area SA
with the use of the bank layer 370.
[0154] Since the light-transmitting layer TPL is formed by exposing
and developing a photosensitive material before the formation of
the wavelength conversion layer WCL, the provision of inkjet
nozzles or the preparation of ink may not be needed to form the
light-transmitting layer TPL during an inkjet printing process for
forming the wavelength conversion layer WCL. Thus, the amount of
time and expense for forming the light-transmitting layer TPL can
be reduced.
[0155] Thereafter, referring again to FIG. 5, the bank layer 370,
which includes the bank part 371 and the spacer part 372, is formed
(S400).
[0156] Referring to FIG. 9, a second capping layer CPL2 may be
formed on the surface of the second substrate 310 where the
light-transmitting layer TPL is formed, and the bank layer 370,
which is patterned, may be formed on the second capping layer CPL2.
The bank layer 370 may be disposed in the light-blocking area BA.
For example, the bank layer 370, which is patterned 370, may be
formed by an exposure process. For example, the bank layer 370 may
include an organic material, and the organic material may be a
photosensitive organic material. In this example, the bank layer
370, which is patterned, may be formed by applying an organic
material layer for forming the bank layer 370 and subjecting the
organic material layer to exposure and development processes. The
organic material layer may be a layer of a negative photosensitive
material that is cured by being irradiated with light, but the
present invention is not limited thereto.
[0157] The bank layer 370, which is formed along the boundaries of
each subpixel PXS, for example, in the light-blocking area BA. The
arrangement and the shape of the bank layer 370, which is
patterned, are as already described above. Part of the bank layer
370 disposed in the spacer area SA, e.g., the spacer part 372, may
be disposed to overlap with the dummy pattern DP. By forming the
bank layer 370, which is patterned, a protruding structure that is
to be projected in the spacer area SA by the height difference
formed by the dummy pattern DP, e.g., the spacer CS, may be
formed.
[0158] Referring again to FIG. 5, the wavelength conversion layer
WCL is formed (S500).
[0159] Referring to FIG. 10, the wavelength conversion layer WCL is
formed on the second substrate 310 where the bank layer 370, which
is patterned, is formed. The wavelength conversion layer WCL may
include a first wavelength conversion pattern WCL1, which is
disposed in the second light-emitting area TA2, and a second
wavelength conversion pattern WCL2, which is disposed in the third
light-emitting area TA3. For example, the first and second
wavelength conversion patterns WCL1 and WCL2 may be formed by an
inkjet printing process using an inkjet composition.
[0160] For example, the first wavelength conversion pattern WCL1
may be formed by spraying first ink IK1 including a material for
forming the first wavelength conversion pattern WCL1 to the second
light-emitting area TA2. The first ink IK1 may be sprayed into a
space provided by the bank part 371, in an area that overlaps with
the second light-emitting area TA2. For example, the bank part 371
may serve as a guide for allowing the first ink IK1 to be stably
placed at a desired location to form the first wavelength
conversion pattern WCL1.
[0161] Similarly, the second wavelength conversion pattern WCL2 may
be formed by spraying second ink IK2 including a material for
forming the second wavelength conversion pattern WCL2 to the third
light-emitting area TA3. The second ink IK2 may be sprayed into a
space provided by the bank part 371, in an area that overlaps with
the third light-emitting area TA3. For example, the bank part 371
may serve as a guide for allowing the second ink IK2 to be stably
placed at a desired location to form the second wavelength
conversion pattern WCL2.
[0162] The amount in which to spray the first ink IK1 and the
second ink IK2 may be determined in consideration of the surface
tensions of the first ink IK1 and the second ink IK2 and the
amounts by which the volumes of the first ink IK1 and the second
ink IK2 are reduced when the first ink IK1 and the second ink IK2
are dried.
[0163] Thereafter, referring to FIG. 11, the wavelength conversion
layer WCL is cured, and the third capping layer CPL3 is formed. For
example, in a case where the first and second wavelength conversion
patterns WCL1 and WCL2 are formed by spraying ink via inkjet
printing and curing the ink, the first ink IK1, which is disposed
in the second light-emitting area TA2, and the second ink IK2,
which is disposed in the third light-emitting area TA3, may be
contracted, as illustrated in FIG. 11. The third capping layer CPL3
may be formed along the surface of the color conversion substrate
30. For example, the third capping layer CPL3 may be formed along
the entire surface of the color conversion substrate 30.
[0164] During the formation of the color filter layer CFL, which is
patterned, and the light-transmitting layer TPL, which is
patterned, the dummy pattern DP may be formed in the spacer area SA
of the light-blocking area BA. The spacer CS may be formed in the
process of forming the bank layer 370 by the dummy pattern DP,
which protrudes from the surface of the second substrate 310. Thus,
since an additional mask process for forming the spacer CS may not
be used, process efficiency can be increased.
[0165] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will
hereinafter be described, focusing mainly on the differences with
the aforementioned embodiments. Descriptions of elements that have
already been described will be omitted or simplified.
[0166] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a color conversion
substrate of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention.
[0167] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 12, a color conversion substrate
30_1 differs from the color conversion substrate 30 in that in
S500, first and second wavelength conversion patterns WCL1 and WCL2
are each formed by applying a photosensitive material and
subjecting the photosensitive material to exposure and development
processes. For example, the first wavelength conversion pattern
WCL1 may be formed on a second color filter 331 by applying a
photosensitive material for forming the first wavelength conversion
pattern WCL1 and subjecting the photosensitive material to exposure
and development processes, and the second wavelength conversion
pattern WCL2 may be formed on a third color filter 341 by applying
a photosensitive material for forming the second wavelength
conversion pattern WCL2 and subjecting the photosensitive material
to exposure and development processes.
[0168] For example, a wavelength conversion layer WCL may be formed
by forming a bank layer 370 in a light-blocking area BA and then
subjecting a photosensitive material for forming a wavelength
conversion pattern in each of second and third light-emitting areas
TA2 and TA2 to an exposure process.
[0169] FIGS. 13 and 14 are cross-sectional views illustrating a
method of fabricating a color conversion substrate of a display
device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0170] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, a color conversion substrate
30_2 differs from the color conversion substrate 30 of FIG. 4 in
that a dummy pattern DP is not disposed in a spacer area SA where a
spacer part 372, which forms a spacer CS, is disposed.
[0171] As already mentioned above, the spacer part 372, like a bank
part 371 of a bank layer 370, may include an organic insulating
material. For example, the bank part 371 and the spacer part 372
may be integrally formed of the same material via a single process.
The bank part 371 and the spacer part 372, which have different
heights, may be formed by a single process that applies an organic
material layer for forming the bank layer 370 and exposes and
develops the organic material layer with the use of a slit mask or
a multitone mask (or a halftone mask). The organic material layer
may include a negative photosensitive material.
[0172] Referring to FIG. 13, the bank layer 370 in an entire
light-blocking area BA except for the spacer area SA, and in
light-emitting areas TA may be formed via a single mask process.
For example, a photomask MK is placed on a surface of a second
substrate 310. The photomask MK may be a multitone mask (or, e.g.,
a slit mask or a halftone mask). The photomask MK may include first
areas MA1, which do not transmit light therethrough, a second area
MA2, which transmits light therethrough in a halftone manner, and a
third area MA3, which transmits light therethrough in a full-tone
manner.
[0173] The photomask MK is arranged so that the first areas MA1,
the second area MA2, and the third area MA3 correspond to the
light-transmitting areas TA, the entire light-blocking area BA
except for the spacer area SA, and the spacer area SA,
respectively.
[0174] Thereafter, as the organic material layer is exposed and
developed using the photomask MK, parts of the organic material
layer that correspond to the first areas MA1 may be completely
removed to expose the second and third color filters 331 and 341,
and parts of the organic material layer that correspond to the
second and third areas MA2 and MA3 may remain unremoved. Here,
since the amount of exposure of the organic material layer is
smaller in the second area MA2 than in the third area MA3, the
thickness of the organic material layer may be smaller in the
second area MA2 than in the third area MA3. Thus, part of the bank
layer 370 disposed in the spacer area SA, e.g., the spacer part
372, may be thicker than part of the bank layer 370 not disposed in
the spacer area SA, e.g., the bank part 371. By forming the bank
layer 370 in this manner, the spacer CS, which protrudes from the
second substrate 310, may be formed in the spacer area SA.
[0175] Even in a case where a dummy pattern DP is not formed in the
spacer area SA with the use of a color filter layer CFL and a
light-transmitting layer TPL, the spacer CS can be formed by
forming the bank layer 370, which is patterned to have different
thicknesses in the spacer area SA and in the rest of the
light-blocking area BA, with the use of the photomask MK.
[0176] The bank layer 370 may include a negative photosensitive
material, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In
addition, the bank layer 370 may include a positive photosensitive
material, in which case, the first areas MA1 and the third area MA3
of the photomask MK may be reversed.
[0177] Thereafter, first and second wavelength conversion patterns
WCL1 and WCL2 may be formed in the second and third light-emitting
areas TA2 and TA3, respectively. The first and second wavelength
conversion patterns WCL1 and WCL2 may be formed by an inkjet
printing process using an inkjet composition, but the present
invention is not limited thereto. Each of the first and second
wavelength conversion patterns WCL1 and WCL2 may be formed by
applying a photosensitive material and subjecting the
photosensitive material to exposure and development processes.
[0178] Dummy patterns of display devices according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, which form spacers in spacer
areas, will hereinafter be described with reference to FIGS. 15
through 17. The exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 15 through 17 differ
from the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 14 in that a dummy pattern
that forms a spacer is formed by more than one color filter layer
or a color filter layer other than a first color filter layer.
[0179] FIG. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a spacer of a
display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0180] Referring to FIG. 15 and further to FIG. 4, a second color
filter layer 330 may include a second color filter 331 and a second
dummy color pattern 332. The second color filter 331 may be
disposed in a second light-emitting area TA2, and the second dummy
color pattern 332 may be disposed in a spacer area SA of a
light-blocking area BA. The second color filter 331 and the second
dummy color pattern 332 may include the same material and may be
formed and patterned by a single process. However, the present
invention is not limited thereto. For example, the second color
filter 331 and the second dummy color pattern 332 may include
different materials from each other.
[0181] A light-transmitting dummy pattern TPL_2 may be disposed on
the second dummy color pattern 332. The light-transmitting dummy
pattern TPL_2 may overlap with the second dummy color pattern 332
in a thickness direction. For example, sidewalls of the
light-transmitting dummy pattern TPL_2 may be aligned with
sidewalls of the second dummy color pattern 332, but the present
invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the sidewalls of the
light-transmitting dummy pattern TPL_2 may be arranged on the
inside of the sidewalls of the second dummy color pattern 332 so
that at least parts of a surface of the light-transmitting dummy
pattern TPL_2 may be exposed.
[0182] The second dummy color pattern 332 and the
light-transmitting dummy pattern TPL_2 may form a dummy pattern
DP_1, which is disposed in the spacer area SA. The dummy pattern
DP_1 may protrude from a surface of a second substrate 310. As
already mentioned above, due to the presence of the dummy pattern
DP_1, which protrudes from the surface of the second substrate 310,
a bank layer 370 may include a bank part 371, which is disposed in
the spacer area SA and at least parts of the light-blocking area BA
near the spacer area SA, and a spacer part 372, which is physically
connected to the bank part 371 and protrudes from the bank part
371. Since the bank part 371 and the spacer part 372 have different
heights, the bank layer 370 may have a height difference on the
surface of the second substrate 310. The spacer part 372, which is
projected by the dummy pattern DP_1 including the second dummy
color pattern 332 and the light-transmitting dummy pattern TPL_2,
may form a spacer CS.
[0183] FIG. 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a spacer of a
display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0184] Referring to FIG. 16 and further to FIG. 4, a first color
filter layer 320 may include a first color filter 321, which is
disposed in a first light-emitting area TA1, and a first dummy
color pattern 322, which is disposed in a spacer area SA of a
light-blocking area BA, and a second color filter layer 330 may
include a second color filter 331, which is disposed in a second
light-emitting area TA2, and a second dummy color pattern 332,
which is disposed in the spacer area SA of the light-blocking area
BA.
[0185] The second dummy color pattern 332 may be disposed on an
upper light-absorbing member UAB, in the spacer area SA. The first
dummy color pattern 322 may be disposed on the second dummy color
pattern 332, in the spacer area SA. The first dummy color pattern
322 may overlap with the second dummy color pattern 332 in a
thickness direction.
[0186] A light-transmitting dummy pattern TPL_2 may be disposed on
the first dummy color pattern 322. The light-transmitting dummy
pattern TPL_2 may overlap with the first and second dummy color
patterns 322 and 332 in the thickness direction. Sidewalls of the
light-transmitting dummy pattern TPL_2, sidewalls of the first
dummy color pattern 322, and sidewalls of the second dummy color
pattern 332 may be aligned with one another, but the present
invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the sidewalls of any
one of the light-transmitting dummy pattern TPL_2, the first dummy
color pattern 322, and the second dummy color pattern 332 may be
arranged on the inside of the sidewalls of their respective
underlying layers.
[0187] The first dummy color pattern 322, the second dummy color
pattern 332, and the light-transmitting dummy pattern TPL_2 may
form a dummy pattern DP_2, which is disposed in the spacer area SA.
The dummy pattern DP_2 may protrude from a surface of a second
substrate 310. As the dummy pattern DP_2 is formed with multiple
color filter layers, for example, the first and second color filter
layers 320 and 330, the height of the spacer CS can be controlled
by controlling the height of the dummy pattern DP_2. For example,
the height of the spacer CS from the surface of the second
substrate 310 can be controlled with the number of color filter
layers disposed in the spacer area SA, e.g., the number of dummy
color patterns stacked and the thicknesses of the dummy color
patterns.
[0188] The first dummy color pattern 322 is illustrated as being
disposed on the second dummy color pattern 332, but the present
invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the second dummy
color pattern 332 may be disposed on the first dummy color pattern
322. The arrangement of dummy color patterns in the dummy pattern
DP_2, which is disposed in the spacer area SA, may vary depending
on the order in which to form the first color filter layer 320, the
second color filter layer 330, and a third color filter layer
340.
[0189] FIG. 17 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a spacer of a
display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0190] Referring to FIG. 17 and further to FIG. 4, a first color
filter layer 320 may include a first color filter 321, which is
disposed in a first light-emitting area TA1, and a first dummy
color pattern 322, which is disposed in a spacer area SA of a
light-blocking area BA. A second color filter layer 330 may include
a second color filter 331, which is disposed in a second
light-emitting area TA2, and a second dummy color pattern 332,
which is disposed in the spacer area SA of the light-blocking area
BA. A third color filter layer 340 may include a third color filter
341, which is disposed in a third light-emitting area TA3, and a
third dummy color pattern 342, which is disposed in the spacer area
SA of the light-blocking area BA.
[0191] A dummy pattern DP_3 may include the third dummy color
pattern 342, the second dummy color pattern 332, the first dummy
color pattern 322, and the light-transmitting dummy pattern TPL_2,
which are disposed on an upper light-absorbing member UAB, in the
spacer area SA of the light-blocking area BA. The second dummy
color pattern 332 may be disposed on the third dummy color pattern
342, the first dummy color pattern 322 may be disposed on the
second dummy color pattern 332, and the light-transmitting dummy
pattern TPL_2 may be disposed on the first dummy color pattern 322.
The first, second, and third dummy color patterns 322, 332, and 342
and the light-transmitting dummy pattern TPL_2 may overlap with one
another in a thickness direction. As the dummy pattern DP_3 is
formed with the first, second, and third dummy color patterns 322,
332, and 342, the height of a spacer CS can be controlled by
controlling the height of the dummy pattern DP_3.
[0192] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a display device
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0193] The display device of FIG. 18 differs from the display
device 1 of FIG. 4 in that a display substrate 10 further includes
a lower light-absorbing member BAB.
[0194] Referring to FIG. 18, the lower light-absorbing member BAB
of the display substrate 10 may be disposed on a thin-film
encapsulation structure 120. The lower light-absorbing member BAB
may be disposed to overlap with a pixel-defining film PDL. The
lower light-absorbing member BAB may prevent light emitted from an
emission layer EML from being mixed into light-emitting areas of
neighboring subpixels PXS. Due to the presence of the lower
light-absorbing member BAB, the mixing of colors between different
subpixels PXS can be further prevented.
[0195] The lower light-absorbing member BAB may include an organic
material. For example, the lower light-absorbing member BAB may
include a light-absorbing material capable of absorbing visible
light. For example, the lower light-absorbing member BAB may be
formed of a material that can be used as a black matrix. The lower
light-absorbing member BAB may be a type of light-blocking member.
The lower light-absorbing member BAB may overlap with an upper
light-absorbing member UAB in a thickness direction. The lower
light-absorbing member BAB may be disposed in the light blocking
area BA.
[0196] While the present invention has been described with
reference to the exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be
understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various
changes in form and detail may be made thereto without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
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